MoneySense has ranked the best credit cards in Canada across numerous categories of cards. On this page, however, you’ll find the best of the best: the cards that top their respective categories and cater to the needs of most Canadians. Use the tool below to compare credit card options, or keep scrolling for our editors’ top picks.
Credit card comparison tool
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MoneySense is an award-winning magazine, helping Canadians navigate money matters since 1999. Our editorial team of trained journalists works closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. To help you find the best financial products, we compare the offerings from over 12 major institutions, including banks, credit unions and card issuers. Learn more about our advertising and trusted partners.
Best credit card by category
| Best cards by category | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| Best cash back credit card SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express Annual fee: $120 | 4% back on groceries and gas, and 2% back on all other purchases |
| Best travel rewards credit card American Express Cobalt Annual fee: $156 | Some of the highest earn rates in Canada (with up to 5x the points on dining and groceries), combined with a flexible points, equals your best return on spending |
| Best airline travel credit card (Air Canada) TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Annual fee: $139 | High earn rates on gas, groceries and Air Canada purchases, easy redemptions and a $100 Nexus fee rebate every 2 years |
| Best airline travel credit card (WestJet) WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $119 | 1.5% earn rate paired with an annual round-trip companion voucher on WestJet |
| Best low-interest credit card Flexi Visa Annual fee: $0 | 10.90% purchase interest rate |
| Best balance transfer credit card MBNA True Line Mastercard Annual fee: $0 | earn a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”) for 12 months on balance transfers completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee. |
| Best secured credit card Home Trust Secured Visa (low-rate option) Annual fee: $0 | Guaranteed approval regardless of credit score, with the option to pay no annual fee or receive a low APR (annual percentage rate) of 14.90% if you opt to pay an annual fee |
Best overall cash back credit card
At a glance: With stellar returns on groceries and gas, a higher-than-average base earn rate, and a host of Amex benefits, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express takes the top spot for cash back credit cards.
Amex SimplyCash Preferred
Annual fee: $120
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases
- 2% cash back on everything else
Welcome offer: earn a $40 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your card.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
Pros
- High base earn rate: You’re guaranteed at least 2% cash back on every dollar spent, regardless of spending category, both in-store and online. That’s double or quadruple the base earn rate of comparable cards. Plus, there’s no limit to how much you can earn at this rate.
- High earn rates on two major spending categories: Spending $200 per month on gas and $400 on groceries would net you $288 cash back annually.
- Free authorized users: Set up your family members with free supplementary cards. Extra cards typically cost $30 to $50 each annually.
- Exclusive access: Access Amex benefits, including dining and retail experiences and Amex Front of the Line, which gets you early access to event tickets. Receive bonus points or statement credits through Amex Offers tailored to you.
- Travel insurance: Includes $100,000 in travel accident insurance and $500 in combined baggage and flight delay coverage. This is rare for a cash back card—the most impressive insurance packages generally come with travel credit cards.
Cons
- Limited acceptance: Although American Express is accepted at tens of thousands of locations across Canada, there are places that don’t take the card, including Loblaw-affiliated stores and some independent retailers.
- Limited redemptions: Cash back can only be redeemed once annually, in September.
Best travel rewards credit card
At a glance: The American Express Cobalt card impresses with some of the highest earn rates on top spending categories like “eats and drinks,” which includes any spends at from grocery stores to coffee shops to food delivery. Plus, the travel points are easy to redeem, and you have more redemption options to choose from than with other travel cards in Canada.
American Express Cobalt
Annual fee: $156
- 5 points per $1 on dining and groceries
- 3 points per $1 on streaming services
- 2 points per $1 on travel, transit and gas
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: earn 1,250 points for each month you spend $750, up to a maximum of 15,000 points.
Card details
| Interest rates | 21.99% on purchases, 21.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers. |
Pros
- High earn rates: Some of the highest of any travel card in Canada, with 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining.
- Expansive categories: This means you’ll get point boosts on more purchases. For example, the travel and transit category includes flights, hotels and vacations, as well as gas, public transit, taxis and rideshares.
- Flexible redemptions and point transfers: Redeem your points on any airline three different ways: redeem for any travel expense charged to your card at a flat rate of 1 point for $0.01 in travel savings; transfer them to a participating airline or hotel loyalty program (including Aeroplan) at a 1:1 ratio, which can double their value; or use the Fixed Points Travel chart to find a favourable rate without worrying about the carrier or blackout dates.
- Free supplementary cardholders: So you can earn more points, faster.
Cons
- Limited acceptance: The American Express card is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
- High annual fee: Charged as $12.99 monthly, the annual fee comes to $155.88, whereas comparable cards charge $120.
- No trip cancellation coverage: It’s the one type of coverage missing from an otherwise comprehensive travel insurance package.
Best airline travel credit cards
For Air Canada frequent flyers
At a glance: While the fastest way to accumulate Aeroplan points may be to use the Amex Cobalt—the best travel rewards card overall ranked by MoneySense—and then transfer your Amex points one to one, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card offers a branded Aeroplan card with simple redemptions. Of the 11 Aeroplan cards on the market, this card has a few differentiators like the $100 Nexus fee rebate that earn it the top spot.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Annual fee: $139 (waived first year)
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on gas, groceries and purchases
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on purchases made directly through Air Canada (including vacation packages)
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,300 in value, including up to 40,000 Aeroplan points and no annual fee for the first year. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by Jan. 6, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average. |
Pros
- Earn Aeroplan Status Qualifying Miles: These help you advance in Aeroplan status, putting you closer to unique Air Canada benefits, like priority seat selection, free checked bags and airport lounge access.
- Redemption flexibility: Although Aeroplan is an Air Canada loyalty rewards program, you can redeem points on a dozen Star Alliance partner airlines like United and Lufthansa.
- Valuable perks: Get free, first checked bags for up to eight travel companions on North American flights and a $100 Nexus fee rebate every 48 months.
- Length of emergency medical coverage: You’re covered for up to 21 days—four days if you’re 65 or older—which is longer than comparable cards.
Cons
- Complexity: As a dynamic program with fluctuating point values, Aeroplan’s not ideal for cardholders who want a very straightforward rewards structure.
- High annual fee: At $139, it’s higher than some other cards in its category.
For WestJet frequent flyers
At a glance: If your airline of choice is WestJet, this credit card is worth considering. It not only provides a strong base rate of 1.5% in WestJet reward dollars and a simple redemption process, but it also has some worthy perks like an annual round-trip companion voucher and a free first checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $119
- 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and vacations packages
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
Welcome offer: earn up to $700 in WestJet dollars with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, Plus a Round-Trip Companion Voucher Every Year
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | None specified |
| Point value | 1 WestJet Dollar = $1 CAD when redeemed for eligible flights or vacation packages. |
Pros
- Annual round-trip companion voucher: Book a companion fare anywhere WestJet flies at a reduced rate, after paying full price for a plane ticket. Or, instead of using the companion voucher, you can exchange it for four airport lounge visits.
- Status Lifts: Get up to three $500 Status Lifts annually, when you meet the spend requirements. These help you reach the next tier faster, giving you access to benefits like lounge access.
- Cash back rewards: Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on every purchase on your card, and 2% on WestJet flights or vacations. 1 WestJet dollar is equal to $1 Canadian when redeemed for eligible flights or vacation packages.
- Simplicity: There are no complicated charts to consult and no blackout periods for booking.
Cons
- Voucher limitations: The round-trip companion voucher is only applicable to the base rate of your flight so you’ll still have to pay taxes, airport fees and air transportations charges—levies that make up the bulk of your ticket price.
- No point transfers: WestJet dollars cannot be used with other airline programs.
Best low-interest credit card
At a glance: If you’re looking for a low-interest credit card, you won’t find a more competitive APR than this card’s 10.90%. For those who frequently carry a balance, the Flexi Visa is worth a look. The savings on interest charges with this card could easily outweigh the value of rewards you’d earn with a rewards or cash back credit card if you can’t pay off your balance.
Flexi Visa
Annual fee: $0
Low interest rates: 10.90% on purchases and 12.90% on cash advances
Card details
| Interest rates | 10.90% on purchases and 12.90% on cash advances |
| Income required | Not specified |
| Credit score | Not specified |
Pros
- Lowest interest rate available: Lowest purchase APR of any card in Canada.
- Some travel insurance: Includes emergency medical, trip cancellation and baggage coverage for up to three days—suitable for a weekend trip. Plus, the emergency medical coverage applies to travellers age 75 and under, whereas coverage stops at 65 with some cards.
Cons
- Limited in-person support: Desjardins only has physical branches in Ontario and Quebec.
Best balance transfer credit card
At a glance: When it comes to making balance transfers, our pick is the MBNA True Line Mastercard, which has a 12.99% interest rate and edges out its nearest competitor, the Scotia Value Visa, because it has no annual fee. That said, this credit card’s 3% balance transfer fee is much larger than the 1% commanded by the Value Visa, so you might want to consider the latter if you’re transferring a major balance.
MBNA True Line Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Low interest rate: 12.99%
Balance transfer offer: earn a 0% promotional annual interest rate (“AIR”) for 12 months on balance transfers completed within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
Card details
| Interest rates | 24.99% on cash advances, 17.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 660 or higher |
Pros
- Best promotional balance transfer offer available: The welcome offer gives you a full year interest-free to get on top of your debt.
- Low regular purchase interest rate: This rate is fixed and won’t change regardless of missed payments or changes in the prime rate.
Cons
- Balance transfer fee: The transfer fee of 3% (with a minimum fee of $7.50) is higher than some comparable cards, like the Scotia Value Visa, which has a transfer fee of 1%.
- Not available in Quebec: Residents of the province aren’t eligible.
Best secured credit card
At a glance: For those with poor or no credit, a secured credit card makes a lot of sense as it allows you the flexibility of using plastic while building up your credit history. What’s great about this Home Trust card is that you’re given a choice: If you’re willing to pay a modest annual fee of $59, you’ll save on interest with a 14.90% purchase APR. Or, if you prefer no fee, you’ll be charged a higher interest rate of 19.99%. We like that this card gives you the option to choose what works best for you.
Home Trust Secured Visa
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: None (designed for people looking to rebuild credit)
Welcome offer: None
Card details
| Interest rates | 19.99% on purchases and 19.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | 300 or higher |
Pros
- Choice of two options: Pay an annual fee of $59 annual fee to save on interest with a 14.90% interest rate. Or, get the same card for no annual fee, but with a higher interest rate.
- Reports to both credit bureaus: Home Trust reports your activity to both TransUnion and Equifax, which helps you build your credit rating if you pay your bills on time.
Cons
- High minimum deposit: You’ll need to deposit $500 upfront. Some issuers only require a $50 deposit.
- Not available in Quebec: Residents of the province aren’t eligible.
Our selection process
Many websites that compare financial products let computer systems make their credit card recommendations. Using formulas and a list of data points, they crunch the numbers and spit out an “impartial” or “unbiased” list of cards. The problem is credit card recommendations aren’t an exact science—they’re subjective by nature. Do five free airport lounge visits per year trump no foreign transaction fees on international purchases? Answer: Depends who you ask.
Instead of relying on algorithms, MoneySense editors consider and debate how Canadians actually use credit cards. Our editors apply their credit card expertise, extensive research in the fine print (we’ll even phone up the banks!) and knowledge of Canadians’ financial goals to come up with selection criteria that best reflect the category and type of card. Our recommendations are subjective—and yes, open to debate—but they are always made with you in mind.
First off, any credit card issued in Canada has the potential to be featured as one of our picks—not just affiliate partners like some other sites. In most cases, there are only a handful of strong cards in any given category that are worthy of a close point-by-point comparison.
Once we have our shortlist of cards, we dig into the fine print to see how they stack up on the criteria that matter most for the category—it could be the rate of return on your spending (for travel cards), the interest rates offered (for balance transfer and low-interest cards), or the eligibility criteria (for student cards). Oftentimes, it’s a combination of a few factors.
This focus helps us find the products that are mostly likely to help you achieve your goals. In the end, additional features and benefits are often better treated as an added bonus—not the main reason to get a card, but nice to have anyway.
Nope. Any card issued in Canada can be featured here. It’s the only way to maintain our award-winning reputation.
That said, our parent company, Ratehub Inc., works with a lot of financial partners in Canada. When there’s an active partnership, a link is added to cards issued by the partner (they are followed by an asterisk), which allows MoneySense to earn revenue when you click on them and apply. Links are added after the fact and don’t influence our picks. But the money we earn is used to continue producing the quality Canadian personal finance journalism you expect from us. Let’s be honest, it’s a great set-up: We get to showcase the cards we truly want, while still benefiting from the hard work of the Ratehub partnerships team. Read more about how MoneySense makes money.
We can change our credit card picks at any time. However, major changes happen only on occasion. Every now and then, an issuer changes a card’s features, such as the interest rates, earn rates or point values, and we update our lists to reflect that. It’s the only way to make sure we’re recommending the very best products.
You may notice articles like these typically have a recent publication date. That’s because the pages are continuously updated to provide the most accurate and relevant information. Sometimes, we change details like a card’s interest rates and welcome offers. Other times, we update our analysis to ensure we’re helping you make the best financial choices. These changes show that we care about the quality of the information on our pages—making it easier for you to find us.
What to do if your credit card application is declined
You may have difficulty getting a new credit card for a variety of reasons, from not meeting the card’s income requirements to not having a high enough credit score. If your application is denied, Doris Asiedu, a certified credit counsellor with Credit Canada, recommends you take these four steps.
How credit cards work
When you use a credit card, you’re taking out a short-term loan with a balance that comes due every month. As you pay down your balance, the credit available to you the following month starts to go back up to the maximum credit limit on your card. There are many ways you can use a credit card. For example, many cards can be used for purchases, for balance transfers and/or cash advances. As useful as they are, it’s important to understand how to use credit cards responsibly to avoid falling into financial trouble.
How to calculate credit card interest
Credit card interest is expressed as an annual percentage rate, or APR. It is a fee charged for borrowing money from the credit card issuer. If you’ve paid your credit card balance in full by the end of the billing cycle, you won’t be charged any interest. But if you carry a credit card balance, interest charges begin to accumulate, and you’ll continue to pay interest until you pay your balance back in full.
Though APRs are expressed in annual terms, credit card interest is calculated daily and charged monthly. (The APR represents the total cost of borrowing money for a year.) You can figure out your daily interest rate by dividing your APR by 365 (or 366 during a leap year). For a credit card with a 19.99% APR, your daily rate is 0.0548%.
This means a $1,000 balance will incur $0.54 in interest charges in a single day. And the interest compounds daily, which means that the next day, assuming you don’t make any additional purchases, you’d be charged interest on a total of $1,000.54, and so on. Finally, at the end of the billing cycle, you’re charged interest based on the average daily balance during each one of the days in the billing cycle. So, to determine the amount of interest owed:
- Calculate your daily interest rate by dividing the APR by 365.
- Find your average daily balance by adding up the balances for each day of the billing cycle and dividing it by the number of days in your statement period.
- Multiply your average daily balance by the daily interest rate, and multiply this total by the number of days in the statement period.
That’s why it’s best to pay down your debt as quickly as possible. If you don’t pay off your balance in full by the date noted on your statement, you’ll owe interest, starting on the day that you made your purchase.
Federally regulated financial institutions (think major banks) are required to offer an interest-free grace period of at least 21 days, which begins on the last day of your billing period. Some issuers offer up to 30 days. (Note: This rule doesn’t apply to cash advances or balance transfers.)
What are the advantages of using a credit card?
One of the major benefits of a credit card is convenience. You can simply pay for your purchase knowing you will be billed for the outstanding balance the following month—no need to carry cash in your wallet, plus you can shop online.
Other benefits include the ability to accrue rewards and points—such as cash back or travel points—based on a percentage of your purchases each month; depending on the card you choose, it starts at 1% and goes up to 4%. You can then redeem those points for gift cards, travel or other items offered through the credit card company’s online rewards catalogue.
Credit cards can also help you build credit. Always paying on time will help you achieve a high credit score (650 plus), allowing you to borrow for a mortgage or a car loan in the future at a reasonable interest rate from a financial institution.
Types of credit cards
When it comes to rewards credit cards, the name says it all. These are cards that give you something back when you spend with them, whether it’s points or cash. The more you spend, the more rewards you get. For those who pay off their balance in full every month, these cards can really add value. There are four main types of rewards cards:
Cash back credit cards
Cash back cards offer a rebate credited to your balance, usually calculated as a percentage of the dollar value of your purchases. Most of these cards have accelerated earn rates in certain categories (groceries and gas, for example), and they all have a minimum base rate for spending outside those categories. Your cash back rewards can help you save on anything you can buy with your card. See our picks for the best cash back cards in Canada.
Travel credit cards
These cards offer points or miles to be redeemed towards travel-related purchases such as flights, hotels, cruises and vacation packages. Rewards might not be as straightforward as cash back, but travel points cards can help you save big on upcoming trips, with many offering perks including sign-up bonuses, comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access. See our picks for the best travel credit cards in Canada.
Store credit cards
These credit cards gift you with points for everyday purchases that can be redeemed for discounts off items from your favourite retailer. The idea is to reward brand loyalty with valuable benefits. The PC Financial Mastercard and the Canadian Tire Mastercard credit cards are great examples. See our picks for the best store credit cards in Canada.
Hotel credit cards
Similar to travel cards, hotel credit cards reward consumers with points redeemable for hotel stays and perks. These cards are often linked or co-branded with a specific hotel brand or loyalty program, like Marriott Bonvoy or Best Western Rewards.
Whereas typical credit card interest rates range from 19.99% to 22.99%, low-interest rate cards charge 8.99% to 12.99% interest on purchases. These cards don’t usually offer rewards or perks, but the lower rates will save you money if you typically carry a balance. See our picks for the best low-interest credit cards in Canada.
Balance transfer credit cards typically come with an introductory low interest rate. This allows you to transfer a balance from a credit card with a regular interest rate to one with a lower rate, saving you money in interest charges. The promotional interest rates only last for a specified period—for the first 10 months, for example—but this can buy you enough time to pay down your balance with little or no interest. See our picks of the best balance transfer credit cards in Canada.
Student credit cards can help some Canadians establish or build their credit scores. These entry-level cards tend to have few qualification criteria and no annual fees. Compared to other types of cards, they provide few perks or extras, but some do offer rewards. See our picks for the best student credit cards in Canada.
Canadians, including newcomers, who lack a good credit score or a Canadian credit history often have trouble getting approval for standard credit cards. Secured cards offer a solution. This kind of card is “secured” with a deposit—which becomes the card’s credit limit—and virtually anyone can be approved. Using a secured card responsibly will help build or rebuild your credit score. See our picks for the best secured cards in Canada.
Picking the best card: What else to consider
Once you’ve selected the category of card that you want, consider the earn rate, additional benefits and type of points earned with each card. If you happen to spend a lot on gas and groceries, look for a card with a high earn rate for those categories. The annual fee should also be considered. There’s a wide selection of no-fee credit cards in Canada. Although no one likes to pay an annual fee simply to use their card, annual-fee cards typically offer more in perks and value back—meaning you can still easily come out on top financially.
Common credit card protections
When comparing credit cards in Canada, it’s important to consider the protections that come with your chosen card. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Purchase protection: Many credit cards provide purchase protection to cover eligible purchases against loss, damage or theft for a specified period after the purchase is made. The coverage amount and duration can vary among credit cards, so it’s important to review the terms and conditions of your specific credit card.
- Zero liability: In Canada, most credit cards offer zero liability protection, meaning you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made on your credit card account. Nevertheless, it’s extremely important to report any suspicious transactions or unauthorized activity to your card issuer.
- Extended warranty: Some credit cards offer extended warranty protection, which extends the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases for an additional period. This can provide added peace of mind, particularly for higher-value purchases.
- Travel insurance: Certain credit cards may include travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage, baggage loss/delay insurance, and rental car insurance. The specific coverage and conditions vary, so review the details of your credit card’s travel insurance policy.
- Fraud protection: Credit card issuers typically have robust fraud protection measures in place. If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can report it to your card issuer immediately, and they will usually deactivate the card to prevent unauthorized use.
Frequently asked questions
Credit cards in Canada work best when you are a disciplined spender. Have only one or two cards in your wallet, and make sure they match your spending habits. And make sure you can pay off the balance in full (or at the very least make the minimum payment) every month, so you don’t have to pay hefty interest on your unpaid balance. This can result in costly fees or in having points knocked off your credit score. With a bit of self-control, credit cards become helpful and convenient financial tools that can make everyday purchases easy.
Your decision for which credit card is best for you and your family will come down to whether a cash back or travel rewards credit card best suits your needs and spending habits. Travel rewards can be lucrative, but what you earn from a cash back card can be spent on anything—or saved.
When considering a cash back card, take stock of your spending habits and pick the card that will earn you the most rewards. For example, if you spend a lot on gas, then pick a card that earns you more cash back at gas stations. High earn rates are great, but keep in mind that many of the top cards have a high income requirement.
Also note that some cash back credit cards will only give you what you’ve earned after you reach a minimum amount or once per calendar year. Find out how you’ll get paid, and make sure you’re okay with it before you apply. If you’re considering a card with an annual fee, make sure the cash back you earn is worth more than the fee. If it’s not, stick to a no-fee card.
Generally speaking, Canadian credit cards that earn you points are usually best used for travel redemptions. These cards will likely give you other ways to cash out your points, but the majority of the time, you get the most value when redeeming for travel. Similar to cash back cards, you want to pick a card that gives you the most points for the categories on which you spend the most money.
You also want to figure out what type of travel you prefer. You could get an airline-branded credit card or a hotel-branded one. There are also credit cards that allow you to redeem for any type of travel. Regardless of what you go with, you need to know how the reward programs work so you can maximize your points.
